Hobday was a soldier before
he joined Spurs in 1913, having served with the Royal
Northumberland Fusiliers in India.

He only stayed at Tottenham
for a year, without playing a first team match, but on
leaving, he was immediately called up as a reservist and
was shipped to France to fight in World War I. His
bravery in saving an injured colleague while under
attack was rewarded with the British Medal and received
the highest honour awarded by the French - the Croise de
Geure. His efforts during the conflict saw him
recommended for the highest award in the British Army -
the Victoria Cross.

He returned to France in
1915 and in June, he was among the thousands who fell at
Ypres, when a third of the 3rd Battalion were lost.